Recent Irish title challenger Dean Byrne will return to the ring in what could prove a crucial fight in Newport on February 6.

Mountain Ash’s young welterweight prospect Tony Dixon will man the opposite corner and while the 6-0 fighter doesn’t represent the toughest test of the former Wild Card punchers career the bout could prove significant none the less.

Byrne, who lost in an Irish title fight to Peter McDonagh in November, has won just two of his last 10 bouts and defeat to a young novice, albeit reportedly talented, prospect could see the 31 year old former Freddie Roach trained puncher slip into journey man mode.

Byrne certainly isn’t being feed a handy ‘return to winning ways’ fight. The 31 year old is being brought in as an opponent who is highly regarded in Wales, indeed he is being brought to Wales to loose.

The former Crumlin BC puncher certainly doesn’t do things the easy way and has a history of risk taking, a tactic that has earned him respect if not results over the years, bar a draw with Carson Jones.